Mikel Arteta hails Aaron Ramsdale for ‘exceptional’ response to David Raya competition at Arsenal

The Arsenal goalkeeper delivered in the Carabao Cup as he took his first opportunity to impress since David Raya took the No1 spot
Aaron Ramsdale stepped up as he kept a clean sheet against Brentford
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Simon Collings @sr_collings27 September 2023

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Aaron Ramsdale for his “exceptional” character after losing his place to David Raya.

Ramsdale had been Arsenal’s No1 since joining the club in 2021, but Raya has overtaken him after arriving on loan from Brentford this summer.

The Spaniard has started the last three games in the Champions League and Premier League, but Ramsdale was handed a rare start in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday at Brentford.

The England international excelled, keeping a clean sheet as the Gunners booked a spot in the fourth round with a 1-0 win, and Arteta has hailed his attitude.

“He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody,” he said.

“We love him more for sure. We have him every day. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him.

“I don’t think I’m the one to answer the question about Aaron Ramsdale’s quality because I’m the one who signed him when everyone else was questioning that decision. So I don’t think I’m the one to answer that question.

“Every player is very important. We have a lot of injuries as well and players who contributed. But in football it’s about now, it’s about the moment.

“Today he (Ramsdale) had the opportunity to play and he played a really big game.

“I think Jakub [Kiwior] played really well, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu too, Jorgi after what happened three days ago he had a really big game, Reiss did too, he hasn’t started many games and scored the goal. Same with Emile [Smith Rowe].

“And for sure Charles [Sagoe Jr], it was a great day for him. It’s great to have an academy player with us and a lot of positives to take and as always a lot of things to improve as well.”

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